Sado [Niigata]

Q. How far is Sado Island from Niigata by boat?

A. Two hours.

Q. What was Sado thought as?

A. It was thought as an island of exile: a dumping ground for politicians and intellectuals out of favor with the government.

Q. What was discovered in Sado ?

A.Gold was. That changed the sleepy island’s fate forever. Sado Kinzan Gold Mine and Nishimikawa Gold Park are famous for it.

Q. What are cultural heritage in Sado ?

A. Kodo drumming/ Sado’s onsen

Q. Any local food?

A. rice, award-winning sake

Q. How can we get there?

A. It can only be reached by ferry. Note that some ferries do not run all year long.

Q. Are there any famous animals on the island?

A. It’s famous for its endangered Japanese crested ibis.

Q. Are there any places like inns on the island so we can spend a night there?

A. Yes. There are many traditional ryokan inns are there. You can relax in a hot spring.

Q. Please tell me about Iwakubi Shoryu rice paddies.

A. Beautifully tiered rice paddies.

Q. What are outdoor activities we can try?

Sado Island is famous for its clear sea waters and rocky shores, and one of the most interesting ways to experience them is in a tarai bune which is a wooden tub-turned boat.

Turtle beach called Futatsugame is one of Japan’s Top 100 sea-bathing spots.

There's also a beautiful hiking trail that takes you up into the cliffs for some gorgeous sea views.

Q. Historical places?

A. Temples such as Konponji and Myoshoji.

Word Focus:

exile 国外追放・亡命

dumping 投棄

out of favor 人気を失って、気に入られないで

at the turn of the 17th century 17世紀から次世紀への変わり目に

pan for gold 砂金をえり分ける

endangered

ibis トキ

winding 曲がりくねった 　winding mountain roads

rugged 土地などがでこぼこの

rewarding 満足感が得られる

tiered rice paddies 段々田畑

savor 味わう

mine 鉱山、採鉱場